MOUNT VERNON, Ohio – Senior Courtney Kyser matched her career-high with 14 kills while also contributing three blocks, but Mount Vernon Nazarene University was able to overcome a one-set deficit to earn a 3-1 victory over Spring Arbor University on Friday night.
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Spring Arbor 1, Mount Vernon Nazarene University 3
LOCATION: Ariel Arena | Mount Vernon, Ohio
RECORDS: Spring Arbor 8-19 (2-12 CL), Mount Vernon Nazarene 17-12 (5-8 CL)
HOW IT HAPPENED
- SET SCORES: 23-25, 25-22, 25-22, 25-21
- Spring Arbor got off to a fast start as a pair of aces from Leah Rose helped give the Cougars an early 3-0 lead. SAU never trailed in the first set, leading by as many as seven, and kills from Maggie Watson and Sydney Ritz finished the frame.
- Trailing 22-20 in the second set, Mount Vernon Nazarene used a 5-0 run to storm back and even the match at one set apiece.
- In the third frame, the Cougars held a 20-15 advantage, but the home team clawed its way back to steal the set win.
- MVNU finished strong in the fourth set. After the two teams went back and forth, battling to a 19-19 score, the hosts tallied six of the next eight points.
- Kyser led the way with 14 kills while Alyssa Walker notched 12 while hitting at a .344 clip. Ritz also recorded double digit kills with 11 and Kasey Follis chipped in nine.
- Junior setter Annica Stotz finished with a career-best 47 assists and directed SAU to one of its best offensive games of the year. The Cougars posted a .260 hitting percentage – the second-highest mark this season.
- Rose had four aces to go along with a team-high 19 digs.
FOR MOUNT VERNON NAZARENE
- MVNU avoided the season sweep after suffering losses to Spring Arbor in the first two meetings of the season.
- SAU was unable to slow down Kristen Osborn, who totaled 22 kills on 44 swings for a .432 hitting percentage. She also picked up 14 digs for a double-double.
- Setter Katelyn Dufer had 59 assists.
UP NEXT
Spring Arbor will play its final home match of the season against Bethel College () on Wednesday, Oct. 18 at 7 p.m. Prior to the match, the Cougars will recognize their four seniors – Gabrielle Hilliard, Courtney Kyser, Olivia Landis and Leah Rose – for Senior Night.
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